Collaboration for Change

César Chávez and Dolores Huerta strove to improve life for migrant workers through the United Farm Workers Union. You can do the same thing at your own school. In groups of four to six students, brainstorm an issue or problem at your school which you have the power to change. Develop a plan to remedy the problem.

Use the following questions as guides:

Determine the problem:

As a group brainstorm problems at your school that you might address.

Poll other students to see whether they agree with your suggestions or have other ideas.

Narrow your ideas to one. Decide on which problem to address by consensus if possible.

Research the issue:

How long has the problem existed?

How many people does it affect?

What seem to be the reasons for the problem?

Develop an action plan:

What are possible solutions?

What steps are involved?

Who has the responsibility for and power to implement those solutions?

How can you gain support and cooperation from those with the responsibility?

What is the timeline?

Evaluate your success:

How will you know if your action worked?

How will you share your results?

Want to Creat a Community Service Learning Project?

Find out how to work with community service organizations involved with the César Chávez Day of Service and Learning at:
Educating the Heart: http://www.cilts.ca.us